Thai gov't says asked to probe Gulen ties in Kingdom

By CS Thana

BANGKOK (AA) - Turkey's embassy in Bangkok has asked the Thai government to investigate businesses operating in the country with ties to Fethullah Gulen's organizations, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official says.

The high ranking official, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the request, told Anadolu Agency by phone on Thursday that the Turkish embassy has reached out to several ministry officials over "Gulenist elements" it says are operating legally within Thailand.

The Bangkok Post reported Wednesday that Turkey's ambassador to Thailand, Osman Bulent Tulun, had told various media groups that the Thai Turkish Business Association (TTBA) had links to Gulen, who according to the Turkish government masterminds a terrorist network responsible for the July 15 attempted coup.

According to the ministry official, Thailand will carry out all processes in accordance with the law and if the TTBA were found operating in support of a terrorist network then legal action would be taken.

Around 700 Turkish expatriates currently live in Thailand.